Research scientist and lecturer Dr Keitumetse Masisi's passion for breast cancer research

Dr Keitumetse Masisi is a Research Scientist and Lecturer in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Botswana (UB), teaching BSC Cytotechnology and Histotechnology and mentoring masters degree students.

The affable Bokaa-born academic began her illustrious career in 2007 in the Ministry of Health, Tsabong Primary Hospital, as a Medical laboratory Scientist, handling specimen such as human blood and urine for the purposes of diagnosis and monitoring of diseases.

 Driven by a desire to make a difference, five years later, Dr KT, as she is fondly known at the institution, embarked on a 1-year Bachelor of Sciences programme in MLS at the UB in 2010 before she joined the institution as Staff Development Fellow and pursued an MSC in Cellular Pathology and Molecular Biology from 2014 to 2015 at the University of the West of England (UWE), United Kingdom.

In this interview, the married mother-of-two, who was recently awarded the highest level of academic achievement, a Doctor of Philosophy (PHD) in Medicine from the University of Nottingham in the UK, where she was based within the Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre (NBCRC), tells Voice Woman why she is passionate about breast cancer research, with particular interest in molecular and genomic profiling of the disease. 

The high-achiever also makes a convincing case for why it is important to develop scientists with skills and competencies in techniques to study cancer genomics in Africa.

Popular posts from this blog

Miss South Africa Mia Le Roux reveals she was a tomboy growing up and aspired to be Spiderman

Image
Mia Le Roux, the first hearing-impaired woman to win the Miss South Africa pageant, is a testament to the power of embracing individuality and defying societal expectations. While she's now known for her grace on the runway and her dazzling smile, Le Roux's journey to the crown wasn't always paved with glitter and glam. Growing up, she was a self-proclaimed tomboy, embracing a playful and adventurous spirit. "When I was in primary school, I was such a tomboy," she shared with News24. "I wanted to be Spiderman. I wore my brother's Spiderman suit all the time." While her early years were marked by a love for superhero adventures, Le Roux's journey took a transformative turn as she grew older.  She started experimenting with her mother's clothes, venturing into the world of dresses and stilettos.  However, this foray into femininity didn't come without its challenges. As a hearing-impaired individual navigating a world designed for those who...
Read more

Q & A - Natalia Molebatsi (Award winning poet)

Image
Farai Diza (FD): What inspires your poetry? Natalia Molebatsi (NM): I am inspired by words and how they are able to influence conversations. Through poetry we can also navigate our emotions and experiences, including the joys and trauma that our bodies carry. I’m inspired everyday to use my poetry to speak truth to the ills of the erasure of black women, racism, misogyny and capitalism and how these phenomena impact the lives of our people. FD: Having edited a number of poetry anthologies, do you think African poetry is still relevant? NM: I have actually edited one poetry anthology called We Are and working on the next one. However, I have published two collections of my own poetry. Our stories, visions, and experiences are valid and important. We need to hear them and affirm them, locally and globally. Our poetry is relevant now than ever before and it will never cease to be exciting because we live against the odds and continue to push through the violence of colo...
Read more

Fitness Goals: Olympic bound hockey star Onthatile Zulu shares tips on how to train like an Olympian

Image
The life of an athlete epitomizes a paradox: years of relentless toil for a career that often culminates in early retirement due to age or physical limitations.  Similarly, fitness enthusiasts embarking on their journeys strive tirelessly for aesthetic goals, only to find new aspirations upon reaching them. The pursuit of athleticism, akin to that of an Olympian, demands unwavering mental fortitude. "It's primarily a mental game," asserts South African hockey player Onthatile Zulu. "Sacrifices are necessary, and it's all about making long-term, beneficial choices." Zulu emphasizes the significance of consistency in training, regardless of fitness objectives. "Finding ways to stay motivated and on track is crucial," she notes. "Having training partners holds me accountable." This paradoxical pursuit underscores the need for a balanced approach to fitness and athleticism.  While striving for perfection is admirable, it's equally importa...
Read more